Pressing machine



April .39, 1935. E. DAvls 1,9992445 PRESSING MACHINE Original Filed'Jan. 2, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENToR.

A TTORNEYS April so, was. DAVIS www5 PRES S ING MACHINE Original FiledJan. 2, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 A TTORNEY5 pri 30, 1935. E. DAvls 1,999445PRESSING MACHINE,

Original Filed Jan. 2, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 9 d ATTORNEYS Apri 3Q?i935. E. DAVIS l L999A45 PRESSING MACHINE Original Filed Jan. 2, 1930 4Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEYS Patented Apr.l 30, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENToFFlcE PRESSING MACHINE Application January 2, 1930, Serial No. 417,900Renewed December 13, 1933 14 Claims.

This invention relates to garment and laundry presses having means forsteaming the garment or work, and means for passing a current of airthrough the work either by blowing or by suction,

5 and has' for its object a particularly simple and eflicient means bywhich the airing operation automatically follows immediately after thesteaming operation, and is -controlled by the steam used during thesteaming operation, and

10 by which the airing operation is automatically controlled by andtimed relatively to the steaming operation, whereby the airing operationbegins after the starting of the steaming operation and continues afterthe ending of the steaming 15 operation.

'Ihe invention consists in the novel features and in the combinationsand constructions hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In describing this invention, reference is had 3;) to the accompanyingdrawings in which like characters designate corresponding parts in allthe views.

Figure l is a side elevationof a pressing machine embodying myinvention.

-, Figure 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view through thepressing elements of the machine showing diagrammatically the means forcontrolling the steaming and airing operation.

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional gm view of parts seen inFigure 2.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 illustrating means forcontrolling the air operation by the temperature of the steam.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3 illustrating 3;, a modied form ofactuator for the air valve.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figures 3 and 4 illustrating the valve forcontrolling the iiow of air as operated electrically.

This invention comprises generally, means con- 45 trolled by thesteaming operation for controlling the airing operation either by thesteam pressure, or by the temperature of the steam, all whereby theairing operation automatically follows irnmediately after the steamingoperation.

4:, I have here shown my invention as embodied in a conventional type ofgarment press including cooperating pressing elements as a head Imovable toward and from a buck 2 which is suitably supported on a frame3. The head I is supported .2.) by the usual lever 4 pivoted between itsends at 5 to an upright 6 rising from the frame. The press is poweroperated, usually by a fluid pressure operated motor and motiontransmitting mechanism between the motor and the press head I.

53 The motor here illustrated comprises a cylinder 'I having a pistontherein, and the motion transmitting mechanism here shown, in additionto the lever 4 comprises an angle lever 8 pivoted at its angle at 9 tothe base of the frame, and having a forwardly extending arm pivoted at I5 to the piston rod II, and an upwardly extending arm pivoted at I2 tothe lower end of the link I3, the upper endof which is pivoted at I4 tothe rear end of the lever 4. The piston is single acting and the pressis opened when the force tending to hold it closed is released, bycountersprings I and I6.

The flow of motive fluid, as air, to the cylinder is controlled in anysuitable manner by valves which are manually operated, as by pushbuttons I'I and II, two push buttons being used in order that both handsof the operator may be employed while the machine is closing. The pressis held closed by the pressure in the cylinder 1, and is opened byreleasing the pressure therein by either one or two release valvesoperated by a trip lever I8.

In the construction shown in Figure 2, the steam may be projectedthrough or against the garment on the buck 2 through either the head 25or buck, or both, and the flow of air takes place through the buck. Thehead I is shown as formed hollow, or with a steam chamber 2| havingperforations 22 leading therefrom through its pressing face. This steamchamber 2I is 30 preferably not coextensive with the pressing face, butof conventional construction with steam chambers on either side forheating the head and the chamber 2| separate therefrom as shown inFigure 4.

It will be understood that the construction of the head forms no part ofthis invention, as steam heated pressing elements with means forprojecting steam through the garment are old and Well known. l 40 Thebuck 2 is formed with a chamber 23 hav'- ing perforations 24 openingthrough the pressing face of the buck beneath the padding 25 thereon.The buck is formed with steam heating chambers 26. The chamber 23 actsto distribute both air and steam throughout the perforations 24.

The ow of steam to the chamber 2I of the head I, to steam the garmentthrough the perforations 24 from the top, is controlled by a suit- 50able manually operated valve 21 having a handle 28, the valve beingconnected through a pipe 29 to any suitable steam supply.

The ow of steam to the chamber 23 of the buck 2 is controlled by a valvelocated in a valve 55 casing 38 connected in a pipe 3| opening into thechamber 23. The valve casing 30 is connected by a suitable pipe 32 to asource of steam supply. The valve within the casing 30 is normallyclosed, and operated by a foot lever 33 through a rod 34, Figures 1, 2and 3.

Steam is supplied to the heating chambers of the head and buckillustrated by the chamber 26 of the buck 2, in any well known manner.Obviously, when the handle 28 is operated, steam will be projected intothe chamber 2| of the head I, and through the perforations 22, and whenthe foot lever 33 is operated, steam will be projected through the pipe3| into the chamber 23 out through the perforations 24, the pad 25, "andthe garment lying on the pad.

In the illustrated embodiment of my invention, the air is blown bypressure through or against the garment in contradistinction to beingpassed through the garment by suction, and preferably, the air is blownthrough the lower buck or the chamber 23 thereof.

35 designates an air pipe communicating with the chamber 23 andconnected to a union 36 having a branch pipe 31 connected to a source ofsupply of air.

A normally closed valve 38 in the pipe 35 has a stem 39 extendinglengthwise of the pipe 35 and the union 36 to the outside of the samewhere it is connected to operating means to be presently described.

In the construction shown in Figures 2 and 3, the flow of air, that is,the opening of the valve 38 is controlled by the steam pressure withinthe chambers 2|, or 23. This pressure operates devices 40 and 4I, whichare here shown as bellows.

'Ihe device 40 is located in a passage in the head where it is exposedto the pressure in the chamber 2| and operates, through a stem 42, amechanism for opening the valve 38. Likewise, the pressure device 4| islocated in a passage in the buck 2 where it is subject to the pressurewithin the chamber 23 and has a stem 43 which operates mechanism forcontrolling the opening of the valve 38.

In Figures l, 2 and 3, the valve 38 is opened by pressure operated meansas a diaphragm chamber 44 having a diaphragm 45 therein acting on a head46 provided on the stem 39 of the air valve 38. The pressure side of thediaphragm chamber is connected by a pipe 41 to a chamber 48 of a valvecasing 49. The valve casing 49 also has a second chamber 58, thechambers communicating through a passage A normally closed springpressed valve 52 controls said passage 5| and the stem 43 of the devices4I acts on the stem of the valve 52 as seen in Figure 3. The stem of thepressure device 40 associated with the head acts upon a similar valve ina valve casing 49al on the head. The pressure device 40 and associatedparts are the same as the device 4| and companion parts.

The chamber 50 of the'valve casing 49 is connected by a pipe 56 to asource of supply for air under pressure. y

In operation, when the steam valve within the casing 30 is opened bydepressing the pedal 33, the steam passes into the chamber 23 under somepressure, and it is the pressure of this steam after it builds up, thatoperatesthebellows 4| and compresses the same so that its stem 43 opensthe valve 52 permitting air to flowthrough the vpipeV 56, chamber 58 ofthe valve casing 49, through the passage 5| as the valve 52 is now open,chamber 48, and pipe 41 to the pressure side of the diaphragm chamber44, thus opening the air valve 38 so that air flows through theperforations 24, the padding 25, and the Work overlying the padding, todry and cool the garment.

The air valve 52 automatically closes when the pressure within thechamber 23 drops as the air pressure is less than the steam pressure.Also, a blast of steam escapes through the perforations 24 before thepressure of the steam is built up suiiiciently to operate the bellows4|. Likewise, when the handle 28 which operates the valve 21 is actuatedto permit steam to enter the chamber 2| of the head, steam will beprojected through the perforations 22 against the garment, andthereafter the bellows 40 will be operated to open the valve in thevalve casing 49, similar in all respects to the valve casing 49, topermit air to flow from the feed line through pipe 56, valve casing 49,and pipe 48, to the pressure side of the diaphragm chamber 44. 'I'hevalve casing 49a and parts therein are generally the same as the valvecasing 49 and parts therein.

Obviously, an air blowing operation will immediately follow a steamingoperation when the steam is blown either from the top or the bottom, orboth. The air blowing operation dries and cools the garment, and alsodries the padding 25. The source of supply for the air blowing operationis the source of supply for the air used in the cylinder 1.

In Figure 1 a feed line 58 is controlled by the valves operated by thepush buttons. In so far as this invention is concerned, the two handcontrol, or for that matter, a one hand control, forms no part of thisinvention. It is sufllcient to bear in mind that the push button I1operates a combined normally closed intake and normally open exhaustvalve, and that when it is operated, air will flow from the feed line 58past the valve operated by the push button I1 through a pipe 59 to thecylinder to actuate the piston therein.

As before stated, the other push button I1* must also be depressed toclose a normally open exhaust valve to prevent the air from passing outthrough a pipe 60 instead of into the cylinder.

'Ihe pipes 56 and 56a are connected through a pipe 6| to the pipe 59,which pipe is controlled by the push buttons I1 and |13. Thus, the aircan be blown only after the buttons have been operated to close thepress. Valve casing 49 is provided with a normally closed spring pressedexhaust valve 62 controlling a passage 63 between the chambers 48 and 58of the valve casing 49. 'I'he valve casing 49a is of similarconstruction. This valve is for the purpose of permitting the air toexhaust from the pressure side of the diaphragm chamber 44. When thebellows 4| or 40 return to their normal position and close the valves5|, and when the press is opened by operating one of the release leversI8 so that the valves controlled by the push buttons I1 and I1a returnto their normal positions, the air is then free to exhaust from thediaphragm chamber 44 back through the pipe 41, chamber 48 of valvecasing 49, past the check valve 62, and out through -pipes 56, 6|, 59and 68.

The operation of the valves operated by the push buttons I1 and I1, andthe trip lever I8 is substantially the same as in Davis Patent No.1,860,236.

Generally speaking, the push button I1 operates a normally closedcombined intake and exhaust valve, the other push button l1u operates anormally open exhaust valve. These valves are locked in their operatedposition after thel press closes by diaphragms connected by pipe 6I* toa pipe 64 opening into the cylinder 1 through a port in a casing 65 onthe side of the cylinder, this port being located to be uncovered by thepiston when the piston approaches the end of its out stroke.

The operator holds down both push buttons until the pistonuncovers theport in the casing 65 so that the air pressure passes back through thepipes 64I and 64, and locks the valves in their operated position. Thetrip levers I8 when operated, release the pressure in the pipe 64a sothat the valves operated by the push buttons I1 and I1a can return totheir normal positions, permitting the air to exhaust from the cylinder.As before stated, this feature forms no part of this invention, and isfully disclosed in the vDavis patent referred to.

In Figure 4, a valve 52 in the casing 49, similar to the valve 52 in thecasing I9, is thermostatically operated, instead of pressure operated,that is, it is operated by the temperature ol' the steam to control theairing operation, a thermostatic element 66 being exposed to thetemperature of the steam in the steaming chamber of the pressingelement. Upon the operation of the valve in the casing 9b by thethermostat, the flow of air is controlled the same as in theconstruction shown in Figures 2 and 3.

In Figure 5, the air valve 38 is operated by the movement of a piston 61in the cylinder 68 instead of by a diaphragm in the diaphragm chamber.The low of air to the cylinder is controlled by a valve similar to thatin the casing 49 through a pipe 48a, and in addition, an air leak isprovided from the cylinder through a pipe 69 having an adjustable needlevalve 18 therein. In operation, the piston 61 is operated to open thevalve 38B. It works against the action of a spring 1I, and the airbegins to leak out slowly through the needle valve 10, permitting thevalve to gradually close oi, so that the air blowing action is timed,and the stopping thereof not dependent upon the opening of the press.

In Figure 6, the operation of the air valve 38b is effectedelectrically, but controlled by the steam used during the steamingoperation. A bellows 40 similar to the bellows 48 or 4I operates toclose a normally open electric circuit. When the bellows 40h iscompressed, it brings the contact 12 into engagement with the contact 13which closes an electric circuit from a source of supply 14 through wire15, contact 12, contact 13, wire 16 to the coil of an electric magnet asa solenoid 11, the core 18 of which acts on the stem of the air valve38". A suitable cut out switch 19 is connected in the circuit.Obviously, when steam is projected into the steam chamber 2i byoperating the valve 28, the pressure thereof will cause the bellows 40hto close the electric circuit through the windings of the solenoid, thusopening the air valve 321b and it Will remain open until the contacts 12and 13 are separated' by the expanding action of the bellows 40b whenthe steam pressure falls within the chamber 2|. The contact 12 is movedagainst the action of a returning spring` 88.

In all forms of this invention, the blowing operation is controlled insome manner by thel steaming operation, either by the pressure or thetemperature of the steam, so that the air blowing is controlled by theblowing of the steam and immediately follows the steaming operation, andalso the beginning of the operation takes place after the beginning ofthe steaming operation, and also continues after the end of the steamingoperation, or after the steaming valve is closed. Ordinarily, theoperator momentarily opens the steam valve, as a blast of steam only 5is desirable to moisten the garment. It the steaming valve were heldopen, eventually both the air and the steam would ilow at the same time,but this is an abnormal operation.

The complete operation of the form of the invention shown in Figures l,2 and 3, is as follows:

The operator closes the press by depressing the push buttons I1 and I1.He then operates either the foot pedal 33, or the lever 28 to open thesteam valve to steam the garment. Thereafter, the pressure builds upagainst the bellows 40 or 4I, so that the air valve 38 is opened, andthe air blows through the lower buck and the garment thereon until thepressure in the steaming chambers is reduced sufficiently to permit thebellows-to return to their normalposition. However, the air continues toow, that is, the` air valve 38 remains open as the airis locked in thediaphragm chamber I4. When the press is opened by operating the releaselever I8, the air exhausts from the diaphragm chamber along with the airexhausting from the cylinder 1.

In the form shown in Figure 5, the operation of the air valve 38is thesame as in Figure 1 with the exception that it is operated by pressureoperated means having an air leal: therein so that the closing of theair valve 38a is timed by the air leaking out past the needle valve 10,and the closing of the valve 38*x is not dependent upon the opening ofthe press.

In the form shown in Figure 6, upon the opening of the steaming valve,the air valve 38h is opened by electro-magnetic means controlled by thesteam in the steaming chamber through a bellows 40h, or it might becontrolled by a thermostat similar to the thermostat 66, Figure 4. Whenthe steam pressure drops suiiiciently to permit the bellows 43 toexpand, the circuit through the electro-magnet or solenoid 11 is brokenso that the valve 38b is free to close, and the closing thereof is notdependent upon'the opening of the press.

What I claim is:

l. In a garment or laundry pressing machine, cooperating pressingelements and operating mechanism therefor; means for conductingsteam toarticles on one of the pressing elements; means to control the ow ofsteam in said conducting means; means for conducting air to the article;and mechanism in the path of the steam in said steam conducting meansfor controlling the ow of air through its conducting means.

2. In a garment or laundry pressing machine, cooperating pressingelements and operating mechanism therefor; means for conducting steam toarticles on one of the pressing elements; means to control the flow ofSteam in said conducting means; a connecting pipe for a current of air;means to conduct the air between said connecting pipe and the article;means to control the ilow of air in the conducting means; and mechanismin contact with the steam and connected with the air ow controllingmeans for operating said air flow controlling means.

3. In a garment or laundry pressing machine, cooperating pressingelements and operating mechanism therefor; means for conducting steam toarticles on one of the pressing elements; means to control the flow ofsteam in said conducting means; means for conducting air to the article;a control member operable to eiect the operation of the steam blowingmeans and means sensitive to and operated by the steam from the steamblowing means and arranged in the path of the steam blowing means foroperating the air current means.

4. In a garment or laundry pressing machine,

cooperating pressing elements and operating mechanism therefor; meansfor conducting steam to articles on one of the pressing elements; meansto control the flow of steam in said conducting means; means forconducting a current of air against the article; and mechanism locatedin the path of the steam which passes through the steam conductingmeans, and operated by said steam, for controlling the flow of air inthe conducting means.

' 5. In a garment or laundry pressing machine in combination cooperativepressing elements and operating mechanism therefor; means for blowingsteam against an article on one of the pressing elements; means forconducting air against the article; operator-operated control means forthe steam blowing means; mechanism to control the ilow of air throughthe air conducting means; and pressure responsive mechanism located inthe steam blowing means and sensitive to and operated by steam in thesteam blowing means to control operation of the air iiow controlmechanism.

6. In a garment or laundry pressing machine cooperating pressingelements and operating mechanism therefor, means for conducting steamagainst an article on oneofthepressing elements, means for conductingair through said article, a normally closed valve for controlling the owof air in the air conducting means, means for controlling the flow ofsteam through the steam conducting means, and mechanism controlled bythe steam in the steam conducting means for opening said valve, saidmechanism including a part arranged in the steam conducting means andsensitive to the steam therein, and connections operated by said partfor transferring the reactions of said part to the valve to open andclose the same.

7. In a garment or laundry pressing machine in combination cooperativepressing elements and operating mechanism therefor; means for blowingsteam against an article on one of the pressing elements; means forconducting air to the article; a normally closed valve for controllingthe ow of air in the conducting means; means for controlling the flow ofthe steam in the blowing means; and pressure responsive mechanismincluding a pressure responsive part located inthe steam blowing meansand connections between said part and said valve to operate the valve.

8. In a garment or laundry pressing machine in combination cooperativepressing elements, one of which is movable toward and from the E other,and one of which is formed with a chamber and perforations leading fromsaid chamber through the pressing face of said chamber; means forcontrolling the flow of steam to said chamber; an air pipe connected tosaid chamber; a normally closed valve in said air pipe: and meansoperated by the steam in said chamber for opening said valve andincluding a part located in said steam chamber and sensitive to thesteam therein, and connections between said part and the valve fortransferring the reactions of said part to the valve and opening andclosing the same.

9. In a garment or laundry pressing machine cooperative pressingelements, one of which is movable toward and from the other, and both ofwhich are formed with a chamber having perforations opening through thepressing face of said element; means for controlling the flow of steamto the chamber of one of said pressing elements; a conduit for a currentof air communicating with the chamber of the other of said pressingelements; means to control the flow of air through the conduit; andmeans controlled by the steam in the steam chamberffor controlling theair flow including a part located in one of the steam chambers andsensitive to, and reacting to, the steam therein, and connectionsbetween said part and the air ilow control means whereby the reactionsof said part are transferred to the air flow control means to operatethe same.

l0. In a pressing machine cooperative pressing elements, one of which ismovable toward and from the other, each element being formed with asteam chamber and perforations leading therefrom through the pressingface of said elements, a pipe through which an air current is createdcommunicating with one oi' the chambers, means for supplying steam tothe chambers, means for controlling the flow of air through said pipe,and means controlled by the steam in either of said chambers foroperating the air ow control means including a part sensitive to thesteam in one of the chambers and arranged to be acted upon thereby, andconnections between said part and the air flow control means fortransferring to the air iiow control means the reactions of said part tothe steam.

11. In a pressing machine cooperating upper and lower pressing elements,one of which is mov- `able toward and from the other, each of saidelements having means for projecting steam against the work on the lowerelement and one of said elements having means for 'passing an aircurrent through the work on the lower element, means for supplying steamto the steam chambers, and means controlled by the steam employed in thesteaming operation from either of said elements to eifect the flow ofair through the work including a part sensitive to and arranged to beacted upon by the steam in one of said chambers and connections betweensaid part and the air current means for transferring to the air currentmeans, the reactions of said part to the steam.

12. In a garment or laundry pressing machine, cooperating pressingelements, and operating mechanism therefor; means for conducting steamto an article on one of the pressing elements, means to control the flowof steam in said conducting means, means for conducting air to thearticle, and means sensitive to the steam and arranged in position to beacted upon by the steam for controlling the air conducting means andcausing the airing operation to begin after the beginning oi' thesteaming operation and to continue a period of time after the ending ofthe steaming operation.

13. In a garment or laundry pressing machine, cooperating pressingelements, and operating mechanism therefor; means for conducting steamto an article on one of the pressing elements, means to control theil'ow of steam in said conducting means, means for conducting air to thearticle, and means sensitive to the steam and arranged in position to beacted upon by the steam, for controlling the air conducting means,causing the airing operation to begin after the beginning of thesteaming operation and to continue for a period of time after the endingof the steaming operation, the last mentioned means including a pressureresponsive device arranged to be acted upon by the pressure of the steamduring the steaming operation.

14. In a garment or laundry pressing machine, cooperating pressingelements, an operating mechanism therefor; means for conducting steam toan article on one of the pressing elements, means to control the ow ofsteam in said conducting means, means for conducting air to the article,and means sensitive to the steam and arranged in position to be actedupon by the steam for controlling the air conducting means, the lastmentioned means including a thermostatic element arranged in the path ofthe steam during the steaming operation and sensitive to the temperaturethereof.

ERNEST DAVIS.

